Iranians’ political fury on stylized “300” misplaced
In the touchy world of today’s international politics, even 2500-year old issues can become ammunition for cultural outrage. More »
Monday, April 09, 2007
Kings of Leon lose their trademark twang — and appeal
Despite press peppered with adjectives like “deep-fried,” influences in the rock realm of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a back story as American as apple pie (the three Followill brothers crossed the country with their preacher father, spread the Holy Word and listened to classic rock until forming a band with their cousin), Kings of Leon never struck me as a “Southern” band. Sure, hints of the blues and deep-Southern “rawk” pop up here and there on the previous two albums, but overall, Kings of Leon were squarely a modern rock band with a sound that runs the gamut between decades and sub-genres, much like everyone else these days. And with their most recent release, “Because of the Times,” even that bit of stylistic twang, which led so many to put such great faith in the potential of this band, has been rubbed out in favor of slick production and one-note songwriting. More »
